Ask An Expert
Do you have a question about a Jewish item in your archive collection?
Are you struggling to decipher the Jewish language of a document, not sure how a particular item would be used in religious practice or have a query about cataloguing a Hebrew name?
We can help!
Hidden Treasures has a network of experts in Jewish archives and Jewish studies who can answer your question or help you better understand your Jewish material.
Use the form below or email us info@celebratingjewisharchives.org with your question – don’t forget to include a photo of the item or a link to a digital copy.
You can also #askanexpert on social media by tagging us @seethetreasures.
We know there are also plenty of hidden treasures relating to the history of Jews in Britain lurking in drawers, boxes, attics, cellars, cupboards and on sideboards all over Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England. If you have a question about a family item, complete the form below and we’ll see if we can help.
Some items we’ve helped with:
Silkoff newsagents
Sent to Hidden Treasures by a member of the Silkoff family, this photograph taken in 1911, shows Isaac Silkoff’s newsagents at 53 Brick Lane, in the heart of the Jewish East End of London. Young Leah and Reuben Silkoff are standing outside their father’s shop.
Seder Plate
As the festival of Passover approaches, many Jewish families get out their Seder Plates. They are an important part of the Seder and are often also beloved family heirlooms, reminiscent of past family celebrations. This Seder Plate, made by the Staffordshire pottery firm Ridgeway around 1925, was sent in by a member of the public and shows the order of service around the rim.
Postman Hans
This charming, hand-painted birthday card was among the treasures brought by broadcaster Nick Ross to Hidden Treasures’ Jewish Heirlooms Roadshow. It was made for Nick’s father Hans Rosenbluth who was interned during the Second World War as an ‘enemy alien’ having been sent from England to Australia. It was made by his fellow Dunera internees in Hut 26 of Camp 7 and is dated 4 June 1941. Hans was postmaster of the Camp and Hut 26’s residents were known as the Roebucks after a pub back home in London.
Mizrach
This beautiful paper-cut, was sent to Hidden Treasures by the maker’s great-great great granddaughter who has had it restored and displays it proudly in her home. It was made it in 1858 in the Ukraine and is placed to show which direction is east, or mizrach, so that ones prayers can be directed towards Jerusalem. The Hebrew reads ‘from the rising of the sun to its setting, praised is the name of Hashem’.
